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Le Mans’ return to Ligue 1 hasn’t gone as planned, with no victories to show for after opening three rounds. They host Lens at Stade Marie-Marvingt on Sunday, 13 September, in a bid to earn their first top-flight win in over a decade.
Lens opened the league season with matchday one’s biggest win, but have since collapsed to back-to-back losses.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Le Mans vs Lens key stats
- Le Mans have lost one of their opening three Ligue 1 games (D2).
- Les Mucistes have recorded successive league draws on home turf.
- Lens have tasted back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1.
- Les Sang et Or beat Le Mans 2-1 in their previous meeting in 2019.
Le Mans vs Lens preview: Blood and Gold earn second win of the season
Le Mans vs Lens — Tale of the Tape
| Le Mans | vs | Lens |
|---|---|---|
| 13th | Position | 11th |
| 2 | Points | 3 |
| 6 | Goals For | 5 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 6 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 9th | Home / Away Rank | 15th |
Le Mans’ plans to take Ligue 1 by storm hasn’t gone as planned, although they have tasted only one defeat in their opening three games.
They opened the campaign with a 2-2 draw with Brest, before Rennes edged them 3-2 on the second matchday.
Most recently, Nice held Le Mans to a 1-1 draw at Allianz Riviera, with Adil Bourabaa’s 13th-minute strike cancelled out by the hosts via Elye Wahi’s goal on the stroke of half-time.
Patrick Videira has a couple injuries to deal with: Nicolas Kocik and Erwan Colas.
Meanwhile, Lens have more than a handful of players sidelined in Jhoanner Chavez, Yacine Titraoui, Matthieu Udol, Samson Baidoo, Maik Nawrocki, Junior Kadile and Regis Gurtner. Souleymane Sagnan is suspended for this encounter.
Dino Toppmoller has failed to guide his new team to a positive start despite a handsome win in the opening game of the season.
Back-to-back losses have followed, both by a single goal margin to Strasbourg and Lorient.
However, they enter this clash following a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League, with two stoppage-time goals ensuring they returned home with three points.
Le Mans vs Lens form guide & betting tips
| Le Mans | vs | Lens |
|---|---|---|
DLDLD |
Last five | WWLLW |
| 5 | Goals For | 10 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 7 |
DWDLD |
Last five competitive form | WWLLW |
Whispers predicts: Le Mans 1-2 Lens
A double chance favouring the visitors carries value i.e. Lens or Draw at 1/2 (1.50), with the hosts well capable of holding out last year’s runners-up. The values are drawn from Bet365.
Lens to win & BTTS – Yes at 11/5 (3.20) is well worth the backing, with the visitors high on morale following their thrilling UCL win. At the same time, Le Mans are expected to score, as they consistently have throughout the opening three games.
Over 2.5 total goals at 4/6 (1.66) is a bet carrying solid worth. Two of Le Mans’ and Lens’ opening three outings have crossed the mark respectively.
> Lens or Draw at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Likely
> Lens to win & BTTS – Yes at 11/5 (3.20) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 total goals at 4/6 (1.66) | Likelihood: Probable